Here Are the Top 10 Colleges for Music Education Majors In the US

Music education is, without even a close second, the most popular college major musicians pursue in the United States.

The reasoning behind this is very simple – music education students have the highest rate of employment out all music majors just coming out of an undergraduate degree.

Music education graduates are needed at just about every public and private K-12 institution in the US that has a music program. The job market is, unlike with many other college majors and degrees, exceptionally favorable for music education graduates.

When making this list of the top music education colleges in the US, I looked at the employment rate of students who graduate with music education degrees at different schools, the depth and variety of research the specific program conducts, the strength, reputation, and publishing history of the faculty, what kinds of connections the school has to K-12 institutions in its area, the curriculum, and other factors, such as the overall strength of the school.

But before we talk about the top 10 colleges for music education majors, keep in mind a couple things when choosing the music education school best for you.

A music education program prepares you for statewide certification in the specific state you go to school in. So, while a school like Indiana University has a widely heralded and known music education program, if you don’t foresee yourself making a living in Indiana in your future, then perhaps it is not in your best interest to go to that particular school.

That said, you can still get certified in any state if you meet the requirements, it’s just the requirements do vary from state to state and it could take some extra work outside of just your degree to meet the minimum requirements.

10. University of Wisconsin, Madison – Madison, WI

Historically a premium epicenter for music education in the United States, the University of Wisconsin, Madison graduates students who approach multifarious topics in this broad field, including social policy issues as well as gender and racial equity issues.

The three primary faculty members of UW Madison’s music education program are among the most widely read and published authors in music education today, Teryl Dobbs, Julia Eklund Koza, and Alison Margaret Hooper. The combined qualifications of these three professors are marvelous, with thoughtful publications in the Musical Quarterly, Journal of Research In Music Education, Indiana University’s Philosophy of Music Education Review, the Bulletin of the Council of Research in Music Education, and many more.

Committed to training music education majors who are also passionate and strong at their respective instruments, all undergraduates must audition on their major instrument and continue to hone their skills while learning music education.

UW-Madison’s music education program is known for being a place that embraces interpretive, qualitative research in the field of music education, and claims to be among the first programs for this field in the world to do so.

Students at this program not only receive an exceptional education that will lead them to certification in the state of Wisconsin, they also become integrated into a prominent school that places exceptional emphasis into both the practical aspects of music education as well as its far-reaching philosophical challenges and explorations forward.

9. SUNY Fredonia – Fredonia, NY

One of the best values in music education, SUNY Fredonia has a nationally recognized music education program that consistently sends students to teaching institutions throughout the entire state of New York.

Placing an exceptional emphasis and value on “Responsive Music Educators,” their core belief is summarized in their music education handbook as follows:

We believe that all children can learn and make music, and that they can learn and make music best when taught by Music Educators who are responsive.

Becoming a responsive music educator is among the primary goals for students at SUNY Fredonia, who are taught to plan, instruct, reflect, and then respond to a given student’s needs.

The faculty for music education at SUNY Fredonia is very well-regarded, including names such as Christian Bernhard, whose writings have been published in the College Music Symposium, Journal of Music Teacher Education, and Journal of Band Research. Vernon Huff is also on the faculty at SUNY Fredonia, a noted expert in elementary choral methods as well as choral music literature.

8. Eastman School of Music – Rochester, NY

Eastman School of Music’s Music Education program boasts some of the world’s finest faculty and teachers that have made seminal advancements in music education.

The Chair of the Eastman Music Education department, Christopher Azzara, has made significant and impactful developments on the understanding of improvisation as it relates to learning music, frequently describing it as central to the process of a musician grasping the basic elements of music.

Other faculty members include the highly esteemed Richard F. Grunow, a recognized expert in helping beginner musicians learning instruments. Within the last year alone, Grunow has spoken at Duquesne University, the University of Delaware, the Padova Conservatory of Music, and at the Baldwin Wallace University’s Conservatory of Music, among several other schools.

Alumni of the Eastman School of Music music education program have become employed in public and private schools as well as in music organizations, colleges, and in community programs worldwide. Employment rate for graduates of this program is exceptionally high.

Comments

I feel that a few of these are more music performance oriented schools than music education. Obviously a good music school will have a good music education program, but there is a difference between being a good performer and a good teacher.

I grew up in Ann Arbor, so I knew a lot of music teachers from Michigan. Their biggest complaint was that they felt almost like second class citizens compared to the performance majors, which hardly anyone will argue is an amazing program. Their performance majors will consistently rank among the best. But when you put so much stock in to performing, I have to believe other areas will be affected, even if only slightly. I would much rather go to a smaller school who’s focus is on educators.

Currently a student here about to graduate. It’s true, there is an emphasis in the school on performing, but you get what you pay for. You get a fantastic music education degree and you’re surrounded by peers in your Ed and Performance classes that are unbelievable musicians. I wouldn’t give up the amazing musical experiences I’ve had for anything. They’ve helped me grow as a teacher as much as my education classes! Go Blue!

True, but at least I can only speak for IC cause I go here, in that we are highly trained for the sole purpose of music education, while also being pushed to the same high standards of peformance as performance majors, which is what I love. Every day is an exciting and enriching challenge in my education. I spend so many hours over the course of the 4 years working hard not only on my instrument, but in every single other instrument as well as other crucial education “liberal arts” courses. All good stuff! But of course, if someone comes here for performance, they are still studying with top-notch performance faculty.

I’m not sure I agree – I went to Indiana and though it is known as a performance school, I left utterly prepared to teach. My music education professors – Jean Sinor, Mary Goetze, and Ruth Boshkoff – were phenomenal. I got to work with the IU Childrens Choir as an assistant for 4 years, sing with the International Vocal Ensemble I addition to several amazing choruses made up of mostly performance majors. I studied voice with the same teacher as many graduate performance majors and was able to sing in major works (operas, oratorios etc.) as well as premier works by new composers. Those four years were magical and I was so prepared to teach. I’ll be going on 16 years this year 🙂

I find that to be true. So many wonderful performers don’t necessarily understand that not everyone learns at the same rate or in the same way they do. It is a frustrating fact since many performers will at some point need to teach in order to supplement their income as a performer. It would be of great benefit to the performance major to also take classes in education and especially special education and to work in those fields to better understand diverse learners.

Texas ensembles don’t hold a candle to New Yorks. I taught outside Houston and now outside Buffalo. Better teachers teach in New York because of higher salaries, better benefits, and stiffer competition for jobs. Better teachers will always yield higher quality programs. Education in general is better in the Northeast, and that includes music.

As an alumni of one of your top listed colleges (IC).. I firmly disagree with your above statement. I grew up and taught in NY. But am now a director in Texas. The high school orchestras in the DFW and Austin areas are absolutely world-class. Plano High School and Martin High School (Arlington) are great examples. Many of the music ed profs at schools on your list have taught in Texas.

I would caution you Bill. I know that your intentions in creating this website are noble. However, Americas obsession with rankings is dangerous. You may do more harm than good. There is no reason why I should have to explain to my students that UT Austin’s Music and Human Learning program is anything less than fantastic. Thank you for considering these suggestions.

Hi Ian, thanks for commenting. Do note that the Bill you are responding to in these comments is a different Bill than me, the author. Thank you for sharing your thoughts though, no question UT Austin’s music programs are all around excellent, including the Music and Human Learning program.

Ian: You are so right! I happened to be in Plano recently and I noticed a group of musicians was forming outside a local church for an orchestra concert. So I decided to stay around to enjoy. This happened to be a NON-varsity 9th and 10th grade orchestra that just happened to rank #1 in the entire state of Texas at last year’s TMEA competition. Incredible group! And their conductor, a young graduate of the U of Illinois, Urbana and Texas Tech, was equally impressive. I’ve watched some college-level conductors who didn’t have what this guy had.
I’ve not had the opportunity to enjoy a NYC high school concert, but believe me, the NYC group would have to go some to beat out the Jasper group!

I absolutely agree with you, Ian. I don’t believe for a minute that these large, EXPENSIVE, Northern schools have the music education market cornered. There are many smaller Southern and Midwestern Schools that have phenomenal music pedagogy instruction and produce some very successful and renowned teachers.

I agree – – having heard thousands of bands and orchestras and choirs from across the nation, there is no doubt that Texas has the highest concentration of top-notch public school Programs. There are ‘pockets’ of excellence everywhere, but the suburban and towns in Texas closer to urban areas around Houston, Dallas-Ft.Worth, San Antonio/Austin – – are highly ‘packed’ with amazing Programs. Some of it has to do with funding – Texas has probably done the overall best job of funding music education Programs as a state. I have heard terrific groups from almost every state, but no doubt Texas has the most. There are 5 or 6 Texas ‘State’ universities that have produced amazing music educators… what used to be named West Texas State (Dr. Gary Garner), Sam Houston State (Fisher Tull, Carol Smith, & Ralph Mills), Stephen F. Austin State… to name just 3 – – could easily be on your list. Why? Because each school has produced many graduates with the very top bands in Texas & in other states. These 3 in particular average 11,000 students, and about 500-600 music ed majors. I was lucky to have had a full-tenured, high-quality professor for every music class at SHSU. Being a music ed major out of 2,000 doesn’t make one necessarily graduating from the ‘best’ schools. I will mention that Texas tech, UT Arlington and Austin, East Texas A&M, and especially now the University of Houston, are also terrific music ed schools. I would argue that The University of Houston Moores School of Music should be in your top three. A colleague of mine queried ‘why no schools west of the Mississippi?’ He has a valid point. University of Northern Colorado and University of Colorado/Boulder as well as Colo State Univ have turned out hundreds of fine music educators. There is no way you could do a list like this… because you can’t measure the quality of music education that is going on in Miss Jones’ K-5th Grade General Music classes at any school in any state. Quality of music education from a University depends upon the quality of the professors and experiences a university student had while at that school… was the student one of 300 majors or one of 3,000? Did they have an opportunity to perform in truly fine university performance groups, or teach privately in local schools? That’s just too hard to measure. About the only way a ‘survey’ like this cannot be considered ‘questionable’, or ‘random’, is if you take a true survey of the groups that have performed at every State Convention, including Mid-West, CBDNA, ASTA, and somehow devised a large panel to rate the quality of these performances and then found out that – whoa – it was discovered that 17% of the directors of these groups graduated from one certain music school. Even then, that would not be a very true reading, a rating performances is almost totally subjective, and how again would you ‘rank’ Programs that are superbly-taught but do not attend many State Conventions, or how do you ‘rate’ general music classes from a school in Pierre, SD? That music teacher may have attended the University of Southern South Dakota State at Aberdeen, but you’d never know about it. This ‘survey’ just doesn’t hold any water.

This reply is to the long post by David. I don’t know much about most of the schools you talked about, but I attended both SUNY Fredonia and CU Boulder for music education, and they do NOT compare. Fredonia was leagues better…far more well rounded, rigorous, and rooted in educational theory that was tailored for music students. I’m not knocking CU…also a good school, but they are more focused on educational systems theory than how to actually use that information in a practical way in the music classroom. Both are good schools, but there was a clear difference in my mind. If the other schools you mentioned are on par with CU or CSU (a program I am also familiar with), they don’t belong on this list.

That simply isn’t true. There are high school band directors in Texas who make six figures. I recently returned from Interlochen Arts Camp. The state best represented as far as top level (principal chair or near) campers was Texas.

No, That is not true. As a Texas director for nearly 30 years, I did a paper on this as a fun senior undergrad project. Though it was in 1983, I found that 94% of the Texas directors in Band who had a Texas ‘Honor Band’ (voted as the strongest in the State as the resyult of one year’s worth of Marching OR concert band) in ALL classes – 1A through 5A, and also the ‘top ten’ in the State graduated from a Texas Music Ed University. 94%. Choir was 92%, and Orchestra was 84%, the lowest. But even 84% is still a vast vast majority.

Possibly. Went to Fred. I believe these rankings reflect Music Education as a whole, not just instrumental music education, which is what Texas is known for. Yes, TX bands are absolutely amazing. No one will dispute that. The way the programs are run there are different than in NY (state, not city). When making a list such as this, I believe the author was taking more than band programs into account. I mean- who would have thought that Columbia would make the list for Music ed? No one I know in music ed world went there. The other colleges listed, as well as the ” also rans” are all very well known.

True, but it’s also a glorified trade school in terms of its undergraduate programs. Like some of the other schools mentioned on this list, it is much more well known for its continuing ed/Masters degree programs than its undergraduate curriculum.

Just because their teaching is for music education degrees DOES NOT mean that it its a “trade school” by any means. It means that the school has a HISTORY of putting the best educators in the schools not only in this country, but in countries all over the world, AND, many a great music educator, is now, or, has in the past, helped to MAKE THE TEXAS music programs what they are today! There are many who have taught in Texas, so check your facts! Also, it is one of the oldest music education schools in the country, so I’m not sure where you are getting your facts, but if it wasn’t a great school it would not have been here as long as it has, and MIDWEST BAND AND ORCHESTRA CLINIC, where programs from all over the world want to come and perform every year and directors from all over come for further education! PROUD 1976 ALUMNI!!!!

Why not University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire? The majority of public school music educators in Wisconsin graduated from UW-Eau Claire, not UW-Madison. UW-Eau Claire is known for being the big music ed school in the state.

First off, Ithaca College is a music conservatory. One of the main reasons graduates of IC’s music education program “get placed,” or rather, find jobs shortly after graduating is due to the regional need for music educators. There are a lot of families in and around Ithaca and upstate New York that have grown warm to the importance of music education in children, mostly due to the high influx of “new study articles” that permeate throughout social media, and they have and are willing to lay down the money for their children. In short, it’s become very trendy around Ithaca. Also, Suzuki Pedagogy study is available to some graduate students – depending on the instrument – and for potential employers that pedagogical approach has become increasingly more desirable. For potential music education majors I’d recommend UT Austin, UC Berkeley, Columbia University, UM Ann Arbor, Princeton University, Stanford, UW Seattle, or really any other research university. Conservatories are not forward thinking schools, therefore, the education provided can be just as easily obtained through intensive, analytical reading of existing literature and applied practice – saving tens of thousands of dollars. Undergraduate or graduate study in any field, especially as it applies to a national ranking of programs, should be a learning experience in which the student is challenged, introduced to NEW thoughts and ideas, and is encouraged to manipulate existing practices into a paradigm that will undoubtedly create academic and professional success. Look at recent publications or all publications by the faculty members at an institution. If you can count them on one hand, please reconsider.

A recent, insider perspective on UIUC:
The vast majority of graduates in recent years wish they had spent half the money and gone to Illinois State U (I know that first-hand, from speaking with them personally).
UIUC is decent (read: average) for grad programs, highly overrated for initial licensure programs. Little connection to the community beyond superficial relationships, fewer clinical experiences than their peer institutions, and coursework that is overwhelmingly privileges performance over pedagogical knowledge. The best thing about UIUC is its professional network, and I even tend to think that is vastly overrated.
Just guessing, but I think those with positive memories and associations with UIUC are thinking of a past era.

James Madison University! Pure awesome sauce, with a great foundation in music education that 20 years in teaching later is still strong. Not a music degree with teaching thrown in, but a degree in teaching music. Big difference and so important to all the students we teach!

I’m sure this isn’t going to be a popular comment, but does it make sense to pay these elite yet expensive universities when you’re going to earn a teacher’s salary? It will take you forever to pay of those student loans. The prestige of going to a “super college” wears off after you get your first job. After that, what is important is how successful your program is.

I graduated from Potsdam last year and make $55,000 a year as a teacher at a 23 year old. My program at Potsdam enabled me to teach outside of my of my contract and I make about $12000 more a year from just that. It is an amazing school and I hope they continue
to thrive.

Also true of SUNY Fredonia — NY resident tuition and fees $8000 annual, and even out of state competitive. Kent Knappenberger ’87 won the first-ever Grammy Award for Music Educator in 2014 -selected from over 30,000 applicants.

And that is why I didnt even apply to Ithaca or Eastman. Too expensive. Go $150K in debt to earn $30k out of the gate? Yes they are top notch and if I had all the money in the world I totally would have gone there. Our son wanted to go to Ithaca for communication. Was accepted, got “scholarships” but would still have been in debt over $100k. Went to a state school instead, and got a job right out of college in his field.

I attended the Crane School of music! Almost all of the professors were excellent ,except one who didn’t teach me a thing. I loved attending and singing in the Crane Chorus under the direction of Brock McElheran.

This author says that Berklee is one of the “Other top schools,” yet anyone who goes there with any real talent drops out within a few years. I’ve lived in the classical music world all my life, and I still have yet to meet anyone with a degree from Berklee.

Berklee is not necessarily the best school for classical but it is amazing for Jazz, pop, song-writing, music production and music industry. I know several incredible musicians that teach there and/or have gone there. don’t knock it!

Don’t forget though that school is what you make of it. You could attend the best school, but if you are not motivated to excel in your classes and perform at your highest ability what is it all worth in the end? I attend a state university and for a few thousand dollars a year I can complete my degree with great teachers while also having the opportunity to start my own music groups and organizations and explore ALL aspects of music including technology and science. Its what you make of it.

I wondered the same thing, Mary. Florida State has placed consistently in the Top Ten lists for decades now, and it only continues to get better. It was listed under “other good music schools” at the end of the list. This list was only ranking schools through the music education filter, however. If it were for best all-around, or performance-oriented schools, maybe it would have been on this list.

If I have a student ask where he/she should study to become a band director, I’d suggest John Benzer at the University of Houston. He built a very fine middle school program at The Colony, north of Dallas.

I’m happy that you enjoyed your experience at Ithaca College and that you seemed to have gotten a lot from your education there. I hope you can appreciate that I was merely trying to point out the influence that college ratings have on prospective students and that they should not be seriously considered due to narrow assessment and bias. My recommendations are for those who are either pursuing a career in academia or for those who want to be challenged and pushed beyond their intellectual boundaries. Yes, some of the schools I listed are Ivy League schools, which isn’t the point. My point is that research universities should be at the top of every rating solely because of the academic environment they create and foster.

Sure, if a prospective student is looking to get a degree for the sake of getting a job then these schools are great (see vocational schools), however, there are prospective students out there that want a to be pushed, challenged, and possibly pursue a career in academia. Perhaps I’m directing my comments more towards potential graduate students, and in that case these schools probably aren’t the best choice for them. Yet in the same regard, to be accepted into a graduate school of greater prestige it will be quite difficult coming from Ithaca College; especially if doctoral studies are of future interest. Letters of recommendation do weigh heavily in this field, and the faculty members that review applications do look at who wrote the recommendations, what contributions the recommender has made to the field of study, and what institution the student is coming from.

Just a little food for thought. I apologize if my comments/opinions have offended and upset you, but it’s kind of true to the nature of a music conservatory. Open your mind a little bit there Jon and try to understand and engage in conversation in a more eloquent manner. I’m only saying this because your opinions come off as a little more arrogant than I think you might want them to.

Dearest Daft,
I was a Music Ed and Performance major at IC and was subsequently accepted into two Tier I research institutes’ Doctoral programs (one was an Ed.D., the other – which I ended up selecting and finishing – was Ph.D.). One program had nothing at all to do with music (the focus was on education policy and research), but I had good GRE scores and did well in my interview.
So, at the risk of not being eloquent, you are wrong. Having spoke with many of the faculty in my Doctoral program over the years, they value deep thinking and the likelihood of future success. Now, you and I may have a good discussion of whether or not that is truly the purpose of the conservatory experience, but a liberal arts background such as that provided at IC (yes yes, I know, they were a conservatory first) can open doors if students seek them.
I taught at a Tier I institution in Music Ed. I would take IC 100 times out of 100 based on what I saw from my students.

I personally think it’s impossible to sum up the best colleges for music education (or music in general, or any field of study for that matter) in a list of just 10 institutions. Finding a great school is all about what program has specifically what you’re looking for, and whether that’s Eastman or The University of the Middle of Nowhere, students just have to find the school where they will grow the most.

Well said. Some kids are rather shy and performed well for their HS program in central Tennessee, for example, of Montana. But they would only be a ‘number’ if they attended a school such as Eastman or U North Texas (a Conservatory – not as well-known for music ed). But if this student went to a smaller music ed state university – with maybe 200 to 400 students; maybe they’d have the chance to actually play in the top performing group by their sophomore year, while at Eastman or Indiana, it might never happen.

The major problem with the list is that if you want to be a music education major, you really need to attend a school in the state you want to teach in. This is because state certification regulations differ from state-to-state, and reciprocal agreements can be difficult to navigate.

It’s extremely important to look at the music ed community in your state. It makes no sense to go to Eastman or Westminster if they’re not going to expose you to the methods or curricula used in your state. (Mariachi is common in Texas and Arizona schools, for example. Is that even offered at Suny?)

A far better way to construct a list of recommended schools would be to give some thought to what you want to achieve after graduation. All of the schools on the list are very good when you look at them with blinders on, but ignoring the bigger picture is unwise.

I agree with Jon… the music education culture in Texas seems to be totally different from anywhere else. I’m a BM/MM (performance) graduate of two of the more prestigious schools on your list, well as a famous European conservatory (Artist Diploma).

My experience of working with Texas-trained students as a TA during my DMA was a total shock. I’m not prepared to offer a qualitative judgement on either approach (both have strengths), but their whole concept of music and what it is/means/does was entirely alien to me!!!

I am the mother of a high school junior who is planning on being a music education major. He has also considered majoring in performance. He has a passion for theory and composition as well. His main instrument is tuba, he has been first chair in our state of South Carolina twice and is part of our nationally ranked marching band. He is considering colleges and right now his list includes mostly northern schools- Indiana University, Ann Arbor, Eastman. We are requiring that he consider some southern schools as well, and right now he is looking at University of Georgia, LSU, and University of North Texas. At this point we have no idea where he would be accepted or if he could receive any scholarship money. It is difficult for us to figure out what would be the best fit for him. Any tips you have to offer? Thank you!

Mom Caragh,
As one of the most successful band directors in Texas and in another state, I can tell you that the BEST school for learning how to be a successful well-rounded Band Director is The University of Houston. Has been working its way to the TOP in America the past 25 years, but your son will receive a much more well-rounded and STRONG education at Uof H Moores School of Music. LSU is known for a very fine marching band and a very fine music ed school as well, but Texas has 7-10 universities that are all stronger than U Georgia, and even Eastman. Your son will become, likely, a ‘number’ at Eastman. I myself had a Texas All-State tubist two years out of a 300-member 5A HS band west of Houston. he received an outstanding education to become a band director or performer from Texas tech University (Dr. S. Wass, Tuba Professor). Also, did you know that probably without a doubt, the top two tuba professors in this country were Buddy bell (recently deceased), and Dan Perantoni at the Jacobs School at the Univ of Indiana. Perantoni actually helped design a new tuba line that I purchased – – helping many of my tbists, including this young man now with his masters, do well at competitions and auditions. For tuba performance – Indiana without a doubt! For becoming a great Band Director – NOT Univ of North Texas. It is a Conservatory, mostly for performance – especially noted for Jazz. I have 2 saxophonists who attended UNT. But UNT is not one of Texas’ top 6-8 music education schools to become a great band director. For that, U of H, Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Tx, an hour north of Houston (developed more fine band directors – especially in the 1960s-1990s – terrifically strong tradition. Also, Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Tx., West Texas A&M in Canyon, Tx. Univ of Texas at Austin. Texas Tech in Lubbock. Consider this – – there are so many fine Texas State schools for music education – cost is rather low – and your son will not make $100,000/yr as a band director unless when he is 50 he becomes a District Music Supervisor (usually have to have 25+ years of amazing bands to achieve that type of position). Why attend Eastman, when he will be one of nine or thirteen tubists who all made All-State 3 or 4 years in their HS? Better for him to go to a modest-priced State school costing under $20,000/yr – where he can enter as one of 3 or 7 fine players – on par with him – where he can be in classes taught by a full professor – – not several freshman and sophomore classes taught by Grad students because there are 900 music majors. I was a Grad student who taught Sophomore Conducting and helped teach the univ marching band. I was lucky to attend a great State school in Texas – lots of great scholarships and chances to teach lessons at local Houston-area schools to help pay my way through school. Hope this helps!! Indiana is best for a performing tubist! U of H for the band director!

When rating the best colleges for music education (in this modern day of “quick to cut” music education programs in the schools)—-one needs to consider two things: #1 the degree that a receives upon graduation, and #2, the areas of music education that the degree will allow the graduate to teach. I’ve been teaching for 30 years, and I’ve taught it ALL— general music (K-8), instrumental music (4-6), middle school chorus, special education music, high school chorus, high school music theory, and AP Music Theory. The college that taught me how to do this was Mansfield University of Pennsylvania. I went in as an instrumental major (trumpet), and came out being able to teach everything—instrumental or vocal (I could even teach orchestra if needed). The education I received was so incredibly well-rounded—one of the best I’ve ever seen!! And so, in this day and age, when music programs are being cut and you’re willing to take any job that comes up—you want a degree and education that will allow you to teach it all!! Mansfield University is one such college that can provide this for you!!

I graduated from Crane School of Music in 1974 and had a very successful and rewarding vocal music teaching career of 36 years. I started my career in the Watertown school district for 5 years and then worked for the Vestal Central school district for the remaining years. Crane provided me with a great basis to become a successful music teacher. Working with Brock M., R. Griffith, B.Wahburn, A. Frackenpohl, J.Auterrith, P. Menotti, H. Phillips, M. Hultberg, as well as several others allowed me to understand how to get my students to reach their full potential. We were also given the opportunity to sing under the batons of such greats as Robert Shaw, Stanley Chapple, Norman Dello-Joio, Lukas Foss, Howard Hanson, and others. These were great learning examples for future teachers. Crane also taught me that you never stop learning and picking up new ideas from so many sources. I had the opportunity to have 19 student teachers from Ithaca College and they came very well prepared and ready to learn. On the Vestal Music staff we had teachers from several music schools on your list including Fredonia, Ithaca, Eastman, as well as Westminister, Mansfield, and Shenandoh. All of these fellow teachers all did and are still doing an outstanding job. They were a privilege to work with. Bottom line is I appreciate being mentioned on such a august list but all future music teachers go to the best school suited for them and I hope they all have the understanding of what it takes to get the most out of their students when they leave their chosen school. We all know most of the students we work with will not go into music but the tools of learning to get the best out yourself, work with a high level group, read an abstract language, understand the daily work it takes to build excellence, and the joy of success can not measured. I was very lucky to work with students and fellow teachers who came to school every day expecting the best of themselves and then they attained it. Crane and the wonderful professors I worked with I inspired this desire in me and I hope every music education school does this.

I had the pleasure of graduating from the Ithaca College School of Music in 1961. Since then I have performed professionally and taught music as a woodwind specialist in NYS and KS. Now retired I enjoy listening to the great orchestras of the world and teaching privately in my home of Myrtle Beach SC, surrounded by memories of a great life in the arts. Couldn’t ask for more. John R. Parrette

Is there a college in New Jersey that is good for Music Education and possibly a Little of Edcation major cause I want to probably do math education as a second choice. I’m a high school senior and music is my top choice.

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Hello there! I’m a freshman in high school, and I was wondering what colleges might be good to look at if I would like it major in music education… I’m not very experienced with this process because I am the first child in my family to attend college. I would just like some advice.. Thanks!

If you live in Texas, University of Houston, Moores School of Music is the best for Choral Education, Opera performance, Band Educator degree and have an awesome Baroque Chamber and Organ program. I’m not sure about all of the Music departments. People come from all over the world for their Opera performance and know that their Choirs compete worldwide and always place 1st or 2nd. The Choral Music education is by far better than Rice, HBU, Sam Houston or UNT. My son has performed with, been trained by for State Music competition, auditioned at, sat in lots of concerts by these other colleges and none of them compare to Betsy Webber!
If you have done well on your SAT’s, they offer generous scholarships. My son made so much in scholarships that we never paid a dime for his books or tuition. He majored in Choral Education and was offered a job before he had his degree. U of H gave him at the time $6000 each year, it is up to 8500 now. and the Music Dept gave him $2000 a year. Hope that this helps!

Do you know of any schools that have Music programs that collaborate with other departments, for like example the Music Department and the School of Medicine (specifically like the Neuroscience Dept) and others, like the Business School, etc..?

Check out UT Austin-they are extremely brain research oriented in their research. (The program is called Music and Human Learning) MHL Professors associated are Duke, Jellison, Costa-Giommi, Scott, Pence, and Simmons. The sciences and music are extremely well published at this school, and as a current attendee, I am taking both music and neuro classes.

I have a daughter who is a sophomore in high school. she has been taking piano for12 years and voice for 5. She loves performing but doesn’t think she would like the lifestyle of a performer as she is homebody. She was initially thinking of a degree in vocal performance and subsequent MM and DMA in the same. She also likes teaching and I think she is leaning toward music education. We live in CA so schools in the west would be preferred. Her only concern in majoring in music ed with a vocal emphasis is the she would not get the same level of training in her voice as she would as a performance major. Does anyone know of any schools where this would not be the case?

I would suggest that she apply for a dual major in performance and music ed. it might take an extra semester to do her recital and student teaching. Thats what I did. It took 4 1/2 years but I ended up with two Bachelor degrees. Music Education and Piano Performance. Look for a CA school that will allow her to do both.

I already have a bachelor’s in music performance and now (8 years later) want to get a degree in music education. . Should i aim for a bachelor’s or would you recommend getting a master’s in music education. … come to think of it. . Is the second option even possible?

Depending on the college you choose, you might have to take some undergrad teaching courses as prerequisites. It also depends on what courses you took as an undergrad at your school. I do know of people here in NY who have gotten undergrad degrees in performance and have gotten grad degrees in education. They had to take methods, educational psychology, developmental psychology and do student teaching in order to get certified. Sometimes a college and state ed certification board will allow you credit for life experience as well. I would check into the school around you to see what their requirements are.

Maybe try to get out west, Bill. There ARE schools out here, and we even have running water! Plus, there are schools across the country that don’t harp on about their success but continue to churn out good teachers. Prestige is partially (if not largely) based on the cost of attendance and the selectivity of the school. The quality of education doesn’t differ nearly as much from one of the schools on the list to your state’s best music school. It just happens to be a lot cheaper.

My daughter graduated magna in May 2014 with a bachelor’s in viola performance and a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. She then completed a Masters degree in orchestral conducting. She attended East Carolina University. During college and graduate school she taught privately as well. She just moved to Arlington, Virginia and did not get a teaching job for this school year. Is it because she came from out of state? She had an outstanding resume.

I am currently a senior in highschool and am looking for music education schools in the Midwest. I would love to eventually teach band, orchestra, or choir, but my main instrument is voice in choir.
1. Does anyone suggest going to a school with a specified emphasis (choral, instrumental, general) or should I look for a school that covers all areas in a broad music ed degree?
2. Has anyone heard anything about Illinois State, Valparaiso, Grand Valley, Iowa State, Carthage College, and if they felt prepared?

I strongly disagree with some of the performance comments. Everyone always says that the best musicians don’t make the best teachers… but you can’t be the best teacher without being extremely proficient on your primary instrument. You physically can not teach any student a concept that you can’t achieve yourself. Go to a school that teaches you how to be the best musician you can possibly be. Find the teacher you want to study with, these rankings don’t matter. The teaching aspect isn’t necessarily easy, but you have to be able to play your tail off. Especially when teaching high school.

I would like to contest Madison’s place. I’m a lifelong WI resident and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is MUCH better for music education with a job placement rate at 100% and a music program with close to 300 total individuals. Last year we won the Downbeat award for best college big band for our jazz, and a national Teacher of the Year finalist (of which there are only 4 finalists nationally) of 2016 is a band director alumni from our program. It is a smaller school in northern Wisconsin but as a music education student here I am 100% confident that upon my graduation I will be highly employable and a good candidate for graduate school. Madison is stellar for performance, but for music education, UWEC is truly second to none in the area.

As a graduate with BM and MM from SUNY Fredonia and DME from Indiana University, I appreciate them both being on the list. My education certainly gave me the skills and experiences as well as, and even more importantly, the courage, love and desire to teach and conduct. I credit both schools for that. And I do agree with many of the comments that there are other “unrecognized” Music Education programs in major and smaller settings that have done the same for others. What I’m more concerned about is the opportunities for the graduates of Music Education programs have at this time. With such a huge emphasis on sports and our current administration’s lack of support for both education and the arts, I hope we can continue to see the fine school music programs of the past in the future.

Having designed and created the summer graduate music education programs starting in 1981 at the Hartt School, 1985 at Central CT State University, MECA at VanderCook in 1988, Villanova University in 1989, and Duquesne University in 1990, this one of many amazing focus music education programs that address the needs of music educaors in K-12 education in all dimensions of instrumental and vocal music
in the country and around the world. For each of us who are having success in music education there is a parade of heroes in our lives and in the lives if our heroes going back to at least the 1920’s. Our heroes made our respective music schools special, unique, and meaningful. As a result, we each have our own #1 school of music education based on our heroes who taught there.

[…] Enrolling in a good music college is the best possible idea if you want to become involved in the field of music, whether you want to get involved in production or not. Some people will choose to go for a different undergraduate degree with a major in music, such as a bachelor of fine arts, but this won’t get you to the same places. At a music college, you will learn not just about the theoretical aspects of music, as you would in an art bachelor, but you will learn to apply that knowledge as well through real world experiences in music studios and through internships. These internships are really important, as they will enable you to start building a network of contacts that will serve you in your future career. […]